711.6712A/3: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey ( Grew )
27. In view of the favorable opinion which you express in your No. 33, March 26, 11 a.m., the Department proposes to sound out Senate leaders next week. If they agree, the texts of the two treaties would be handed to the Turkish Ambassador by the Secretary of State at a time to be agreed between the Department and yourself. This is the procedure for initiating negotiations which is being followed with all other countries, and to make Turkey the only exception might be embarrassing to the Turkish Ambassador. The handing of the texts to Mouhtar Bey, however, could be timed so as to permit you to announce at the same moment this Government’s intentions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The proposed treaty drafts are being submitted as rapidly as the texts can be prepared. There have already been submitted 13 arbitration and 6 conciliation treaties. The Department will [Page 942] delay making its proposals to representatives of the Balkan countries so that Turkey, although not among the first, will not be the last of the Governments to receive our proposal.